Peter Crouch rates Arsenal’s Europa League title hopes

Ahead of the upcoming Europa League semi-finals, Crouch has given a very blunt and rather brutal verdict on Arsenal’s hopes.

Peter Crouch is adamant Arsenal won’t win the Europa League and “wouldn’t put money” on it.

The former Liverpool and Tottenham striker can’t see the Gunners beating fellow semi-finalists Manchester United or AS Roma in the final even if they progress past Villareal in the last four.

Arsenal begin the first leg of their semi-final tie against former coach Unai Emery’s Villareal in Spain on April 29. The return leg follows a week later at the Emirates Stadium on May 6.

Given the club sit down in ninth-place in the Premier League, Europa League glory could be their only chance of qualifying for Europe next season.

Sunday’s 1-1 draw with relegation-strugglers Fulham, however, has left Crouch convinced they stand no chance of winning the Europa League.

“They will not be qualifying for Europe through the Premier League,” Crouch wrote in the Mail.

“I look at them sitting in ninth, with 46 points, and I do not see how any Arsenal fan could say the domestic season has been positive. The 1-1 draw with Fulham summed up everything about the way the year has gone.

“The Europa League offers a shot at redemption, but would I put money on them to beat Manchester United or Roma in the final? No.

“They are not as good as United and I don’t even think it is a given they will beat Villarreal in the semi-finals.

“It’s Catch-22 as they need to buy players to improve, but not being in Europe will mean they can’t attract the ones they want.

“So, yes, it will be hugely detrimental.

“When you think about it, 25 years in Europe is staggering. It again shows just how good Arsene Wenger was for Arsenal.”